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25 May 2012

Malden review

After my Affair was sent back due to issues with the rings (see my previous post on this), I decided to order the Vintage Pink Malden from City Organiser. It was on sale and I wanted to see the hype behind this model so I couldn't resist! Here are some pictures and my thoughts on it.

As soon as I saw the box, I was excited...

Then I saw the colour which looked quite nice...

And then I took it out of the slip box it came in...

The leather is very, very supple. It feels more delicate in comparison to my Finchleys. Upon opening of it, I saw the zipped compartment, 6 card slots and under that, a sleeve for other things.

And finally, how the inserts looked in the Filofax.

The ring mechanism in this Filofax is fine. It closes properly and it opens and closes in a much more gutsy way than my Affair ever did. However, there was just something about it that I didn't really like. I can't put my finger on what it is but it may be due, in part, to the leather as it seems a lot more delicate than my Finchleys. The colour is fine but it doesn't seem like it would take to being thrown around like I usually do with my Filofaxes (as I just throw them in my bag and then leave the house).

So, I'm not one of the many Malden lovers out there but I've decided to keep this one due to the fact that they no longer make this colour and also in the event that I fall in love with it in the future!

18 comments

I know its just me, but for me the Malden looks a bit masculine, doesn't matter which colour it comes in. Even with its delicate leather, I don't find it girly enough. Wish I could figure out what the hype is all about? Does it have a nice leather smell to it?

Yes, I know what you mean by that. The smell is delightful though and with the colour probably more feminine than masculine, I am hoping that I grow to love it. I think I do like the suppleness of the leather though and I moved everything in (albeit briefly) to see if I could see myself using it and I can; but just not at the moment.

I've had my crimson malden for six months and it still looks like it did when it came out of the box. I don't take it with me daily, but it does get used everyday and comes with me to meetings throughout the week. I love mine and am considering getting a second one for another project.

Same here: I'm not the nicest with my Filofaxes, but find the Malden is one of the sturdiest models around! MUCH sturdier than the Finchley, which shows every scratch and dent.

I have been using A5 Filofaxes for several months now. The models I used: Adelphi, Finchley, Chameleon, Osterley and now ... the Malden. The Malden has the most delightful leather. It is very squishy and tactile. In terms of leather: a dream come true.At least ... for me. (and many others LOL)

I splashed out on a compact Osterley in grey last week! and I do love it. I bought a compact chameleon previously, but I wasn't that keen. The Osterley leather feels stiffer and sturdier than I'd expect, but it still lays pretty flat which is fantastic. The cover is a lot slimmer and not as 'puffy' as even the chameleon - it's very sleek and classy looking. The leather definitely looks like it can withstand being thrown about in a large handbag, it's not as delicate as the Malden leather. It's also not as glossy as some photos make it look, definitely more 'matte' than an Amazona.

I would love to see pictures of your Osterley too! I love the Amazona and have been trying to find one in Almond for a few weeks now but to no avail... maybe the Osterley would be a worthy alternative?!

I have added photos to the Philofaxy Flickr pool if anyone wants to take a look :) I am in love with the Almond Amazona, I managed to find one on the Danish Filofax site a while back when they were reduced in price. I really like my Ochre Malden as well, but the ring size really gets in my way when I'm trying to write - I keep the contents of my Filofax to a minimum, so the ring size of the Compact is absolutely perfect for me.

The only Maldens I own that aren't quite up to the rough life of a university student are my personal Ochre and A5 Ochre... I don't know why Filofax thought it was "fun" to give the Ochre much more fragile leather, but there you have it. My black Malden has actually been run over by a kid on a bicycle and neither the ring mechanism or the leather took any damage whatsoever. O_O I think it's because the leather is much more "plasticky" in the black, pink and grey Maldens...

I know what you mean by masculine, it has a cowboy feel to it, at least to me, especially with the Ochre. And the personal Ochre's leather is much thinner and floppier than the other sizes, which means you can STUFF it quite full, it'll take the kitchen sink -- almost! (: